Improvement in nozzles or jets for fountains



C.' E. FOSTER.

NozzLEs 0R JETS Fon FOUNTAINS.

' 'Patented Mayv ze, 1876-.`

Wfl??? e ss es.'

ILPETERB. PHOTO-LITHBGRAPHEL WSHINGTCMA D C.

' invention; Fig. 5, a

`lUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

CHARLES E. FOSTER, OF WASHIIGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN NOZZLES OR JETS FOR FOUNTAINS.

Spe-cication forming part of Letters Patent No. 177,630, dated May 23,1876; application filed February 1, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ELwooD FOSTER, of Washington city, Districtof Columbia, have invented a Nozzle, or Jet for Fountains, of which thefollowing is the speciication:

The object of my invention is to prevent the clogging of the nozzles orjets of fountains, and this I attain by substituting a loose cap orplate for the usual xed cover-plate of the nozzle. -l y In theaccompanying drawing, Figures l to 4 are sectional views, showingdifferent forms of nozzles, constructed in accordance with my plan Viewof Fig. 4, and Fig. 6, a modification. v

A is the discharge-tube of the fountain, threaded at the end, andadapted to the threaded socket of -the nozzle B, having the usualcentral opening c Vand iianged end, terminating in a flat or roundedface or seat, y. In ordinary nozzles the cap-plate d is xed a shortdistance from the iianged end of the. nozzle, leaving an interveningspace, w, into which the water flows, and from which it is discharged atall sides, forming au umbrellajet. Owing tothe contracted dimensions ofthe space .'r, particles carried by the water find a ready lodgmenttherein, speedily clogging, in part, at least, the outlet, altering theregular form of the jet, and in a short time .rendering the removalofthe cap-plate and the cleansing of the nozzle absolutely necessary.The same result ensues with revolving jets, the bent tubes 0f which soonbecome clogged. This difficulty is eifectually pre vented by myinvention, which consists, essentially, in substituting a loose plate,d, for the ordinary fixed plate; a further improvement consisting inimparting a rotary motion to the'plate by the force of the water.

In Fig. 1 the nozzle is shown with a perfectly fiat face, y, to vwhichthe lower face of the cap d corresponds. Upon admitting water to thenozzle its upward flow is arrested by the plate, as in ordinary nozzles,the pressure of the atmosphere,however, maintaining the plate in itsposition, instead of the retainingpins and other devices heretoforeemployed. As the plate floats loosely upon the thin rapidly-flowing filmof water it will yield to permit the passage of particles, and is liableto be dislodged by any inequality of the pressure, in practice,therefore,-it is best to employ some means of confining the platelaterally. One mode is shown in Fig. 2, wherethe under convex side ofthe'plate fitting the corresponding concave face of the nozzle preventsany lateral motion, the form of the jet being somewhat altered; or theplate may be steadied by a stationary rod, i, extending into a recess inthe plate, and confining the latter horizontally without interferingwith its vertical motion.

Another mode of maintaining the plate in its position consists inimparting to it a rapid rotary motion, which may be effected by formingspiral, curved, or tangential channels e at the under face of the plate,the reaction of the water in its passage from said channels causing theplate to revolve. Advantage may be taken of the rotation of 4the plateto make a revolving jet, by increasing the thickness of the .plate and-depth of the channels, so that the water will issue therefrom inseparate streams, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

It is not necessary for the plate to be uppermost, as it will operateequally well when the nozzle is inverted, as shown in Fig. 3. To preventthe plate from falling when the water is shut oli", an enlargement,`w,may be formed on the rod, and, by limiting the descent of the plate, itwill, upon the full head of water being turned on, rise from contactwith the stop or enlargement and approach the nozzle.

The dimensions of the space or channel a;

through which the water iiows will depend partly upon the weight of theplate and partly upon the relative diameters of the plate and theopening and the force of the water-for instance, if the opening isreduced in diameter or the force of the water increased, the height ofthe channel m will be diminished.

Where the jet is not to be at the end of the tube the seat for the platemay be annular, and an annular plate used, as shown-in Fig. 6.

It will be appa-rent that the nozzle may be varied in form and used withvarious classes of fountains to'produce jets of different shapes, andthat advantage may be taken of rotation of the plate b without anyfrictional bearings in the construction of a motor. I, however, make noclaim to this here.

Without confining myself to any special constructionk :or.:Jn''angementofv4 the Lpartsot the device, I claim- 1. A nozzle for'fountains, in which the cap is free to move upon or away from its seat,and is retained in its position by atmospheric pressure, as set forth. Il

2. Th-e-'eombin tion; 'in an'ozzifbf thefseat y, central opening, and aplate, d, resting loosely on Saidseat.

3. The combination,

y, plate d, and a rofl for retaining the plate laterally,substantially-as set -f rtl1.-l g.

4. The loose plate d adapted to the seat Vy in a nozzle, of 'the `seat'of'.A the nozzle, .andiv provided: .with vchannels "at-itsjinn'enffnet-substantially yas speoied.

v45."lhe combination ofthe plate b adapted to the seat y, rod i, andenlargement or stop, for the' purpose set forth.

In .testimony whereof yI have signed my name to this vsp'ebifieaiton?in?l fth'ef'presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

yCEIRJS E.F`FOSTER. "Witnesses:

,WILLIAM L. B'RM'I'IALL.

